almost unusable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "almost unusable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is very close to being unusable but may still have some limited functionality or utility. Example: "The software update made the application almost unusable due to frequent crashes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

Current temporary-worker programs are so cumbersome and bureaucratic they are almost unusable by employers.

The New York Times

"But what that means is that dial-up is almost unusable.

The New York Times

Sadly, I find Yahoo mail now almost unusable, and I'd recommend against using it.

The Guardian - Tech

Compared with the Lariat, the previous Balenciaga It bag, it's a sort of spoof, so big it's almost unusable.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

If the bit encounters dinosaur bones or clam shells, they are so broken up in the process as to be almost unusable.

University of California, Berkeley

Many central concepts of our political vocabulary, including communism as well as democracy and freedom, have been so corrupted that they are almost unusable.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

To work with Browning between takes, de Vries used a portable recording rig on a room with a piano - "a very distressed, out-of-tune, almost-unusable instrument which turned out to have real charm in it".

Wikipedia

Meanwhile, the building was virtually unusable.

The New York Times

JuggaloBook's nearly unusable homepage.

Vice

Files with the extensions.gif are almost always unusable.

Johns Hopkins University

The problem with today's Internet telephony products is simple: They are almost completely unusable.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "almost unusable", consider if quantifying the degree of usability would add clarity, for example, "almost unusable for complex tasks".

Common error

Avoid using "almost unusable" when the subject is completely unusable. Ensure there is a residual level of function, however minimal, to justify "almost".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "almost unusable" functions as a modifier, specifically an adjectival phrase, describing the state of a noun. It indicates a condition that is on the verge of being completely unusable but not quite there, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "almost unusable" accurately describes something nearing complete uselessness while retaining some minimal functionality. Ludwig highlights its prevalent use in news and media, academia, and formal business contexts, suggesting a neutral register. It's grammatically sound, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, but it's important to ensure the subject truly retains some usability to avoid overstatement. Consider using alternatives like "nearly unusable" or "virtually unusable" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearly unusable

Emphasizes proximity to being completely unusable, similar to the original phrase.

virtually unusable

Highlights that for all practical purposes, it's as good as unusable.

practically unusable

Indicates that it's unusable in most real-world situations.

largely unusable

Emphasizes the degree to which it is not usable.

close to being unusable

Rephrases to emphasize the state of nearing unusability.

almost impossible to use

Shifts the focus to the difficulty of use, implying a near impossibility.

borderline unusable

Implies it's right on the edge of being considered unusable.

barely functional

Suggests that the functionality is severely limited.

severely impaired

Focuses on the impaired state affecting usability.

highly impractical

Highlights the impracticality aspect that results from it almost not being unusable.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "almost unusable" to sound more formal?

In formal contexts, consider alternatives such as "virtually unusable", "largely unusable", or "highly impractical".

What does "almost unusable" mean?

The phrase "almost unusable" means that something is very close to being completely unusable but might still have some limited function or utility. It implies a severe limitation in usability.

Is it correct to say "nigh unusable" instead of "almost unusable"?

While "nigh" can mean near or almost, "nigh unusable" sounds archaic. Stick with "almost unusable" or other modern alternatives like "nearly unusable" for clarity.

Can "almost unusable" be used for abstract concepts?

Yes, "almost unusable" can apply to abstract concepts like "data" or "plans" as well as physical objects, suggesting they are so flawed or corrupted as to be nearly useless.